Family Violence Prevention Month: Reach Out. Speak Out.

Mayor Rod Frank has officially declared November as Family Violence Prevention Month in Strathcona County. Family violence is the attempt by one person in an intimate relationship to dominate and control the other. It may include a single act of violence, or several acts forming a pattern of abuse using assaultive and controlling behaviour.

Strathcona County is partnering with the community throughout the month of November to bring awareness about family violence and where support is available through the Reach Out. Speak Out. campaign. The County’s partners include A Safe Place, Strathcona County Victim Services, Saffron Sexual Assault Centre, altView Foundation, Volunteer Strathcona, Boys and Girls Club, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

“Bringing awareness to Family Violence Prevention Month is an important responsibility for Strathcona County,” says Mayor Rod Frank. “By sparking conversations with our family, friends and neighbours, we can help bring awareness to this tough subject and provide help to those in need.”

Reach Out. Speak Out. encourages community members to understand healthy and unhealthy relationship dynamics, develop skills and confidence in offering support to those needing help and to hold one another accountable when engaging in harmful behaviour. Family Violence can come in many forms, spanning from common physical and verbal indicators to uncommon signs of social and cultural isolation and sudden behaviour change.

“These last few years have shone a light on a lot of issues that our residents are dealing with concerning family violence,” says Holly Reeve, counselling supervisor at Strathcona County Family and Community Services. “Raising awareness on how to spot the signs of family violence and where to get help is the first step in getting support.”

The pandemic played a role in increasing the risk of intimate partner violence. In 2021, Strathcona County RCMP reports that there were 820 reported intimate partner-related incidents.

Anyone in or aware of an abusive situation is encouraged to call Alberta’s 24-hour Family Violence Information Line: 310-1818. Locally, women facing family violence can call A Safe Place 24-hour crisis line: 780-464-7233.

Strathcona County’s Family and Community Services can support individuals and families who need someone to talk to about relationship concerns. Call 780-464-4044 or visit to learn more about family violence and community supports strathcona.ca/FamilyViolence.

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Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595